Coyle eyes Sturridge return

06 July 2011 08:27

Owen Coyle hopes to use his friendship with new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas to strike a deal to bring Daniel Sturridge back to the club.

Coyle became friends with Villas-Boas after the pair took their pro-licence coaching course together and he is ready to ask the Portuguese if he will loan out Sturridge next season.

Sturridge impressed during a loan spell at the Reebok Stadium last season, scoring eight goals in 12 Premier League appearances.

Coyle has always confirmed his desire to bring the England Under-21 star back to the club and he is ready to ask Villas-Boas if he would allow him to leave Stamford Bridge on a tempoary basis.

"We have had dialogue," said Coyle. "But when you come into a club, you have got to look at the whole picture and not make pre-judgements. I have told him to settle in and have a look and then we will have a chat.

"He [Villas-Boas] is a terrific lad, I got on very well with him.

"We did our Pro Licence together for the best part of two years. We all took to him, he is a likeable guy and very humble.

"Daniel did very well for us last season. We'll have to wait and see whether anything happens."